Tharoor, Sunanda marriage completely traditional

Published: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 13:44 [IST]

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Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17: The countdown to the much-awaited and much-speculated marriage between former minister of state for external affairs, Shashi Tharoor and his long-time friend and socialite Sunanda Pushkar has finally begun and the details are pouring out.

The marriage is set to take place on Sunday, Aug 22 while Kerala would be completely decked up in the festivities of the ten-day Onam festival.

Tharoor's 200-year-old ancestral home known as Mundarath House in Elevanchery, in Palakkad has been chosen as the venue for the wedding ceremony, reported a popular tabloid.

Guests

Quoting Congress workers from the Trivandrum office, Mid-Day reported that Sunanda and her relatives, including her son, will arrive in Palakkad on Aug 21 and will be staying at Kalari Kovilakam, a luxury ayurveda palace in Kollengode, Palakkad.

"We have booked the luxurious Vengunad suite for them. In all, five such suites have been booked for the guests. The booking is from 5 pm (Aug 21) to 7.30 am the next day (wedding day)," hotel authorities reportedly confirmed to the tabloid.

"The stay (for Sunanda and her relatives) is complementary from the hotel group, where as the menu is undecided, however we serve only vegetarian food," they are quoted as saying.

Her relatives will also be staying at Hotel Taj and Hotel SP Grand Days in Thiruvananthapuram.

On the groom's side, Tharoor's mother Lilly, his sons and sisters are expected to attend the wedding. However, no senior political leaders from outside Kerala are on the guestlist.

According to the local media, around 100 guests are expected to attend the three-day wedding celebration.

Attire

The couple have decided to go traditional on the attire. Tharoor will be wearing kurta and shawl while Sunanda will be dressed in kasavu mundu.

The traditions will not only be limited to the attire as the groom is expected to tie a Thali (the traditional gold chain and locket) around his bride's neck.

Food

The food items include tea, coffee, vada, paal (milk) paysam, ladoo.

As the wedding falls during the Onam weekend, the couple plan on hosting the Onam Sadhya (feast) for 70 odd orphans at the state government-run Shree Chitra poor home.

Schedule

The couple will be reportedly leaving to the national capital on Aug 24. Sources have revealed that their schedule is so tight that they have no time for honeymoon.